The Chief Tormentor

Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve been a member of various clubs. I think the first club I became a member of was the Girls Only club that my sister and I started to keep our two brothers out of our room! We were the only two members but we were a force to be reckoned with!

My next experience was when I joined the Girls Scouts as a Brownie. That’s where I met my best friend, Claire, and we’ve been lifelong friends ever since. As we grew older, we flew up to the rank of Girl Scout. Claire never liked the uniforms but hey, redheads look great in green, right? We really did learn a lot in those years and the benefits of being members of the scouts is still with us. Claire was our top cookie seller for five years running and now she’s top in sales at her company.

In my college years I joined a sorority. I met amazing women and together we did some pretty neat things. We organized several fundraising benefits for local families as well as national organizations. There is something very powerful about a group of women. We were passionate about what we did and we worked well together as a team to get the job done.

So where is all this going? Have you ever noticed how puzzlers seem to have a private group of their own? Puzzling isn’t one of those hobbies, like golf, where it’s out for the world to see. Puzzling is usually done in the comfort of your own home so it tends to be private. And here’s some great news – Stave is starting a Travel Club! They’re not actually “taking” us anywhere, but more helping us to travel the world in puzzle form. I hear there are six legs of the journey, but I haven’t actually gotten all of the details yet. I’ve been told to keep an eye on my mailbox because all the nitty-gritty facts will be arriving soon. My buddy at Stave – Bri – said something about that the only passport I’ll need is the one that Stave will give me.

I think this is a great way to see the world without having to deal with delayed flights and lost luggage. As a matter of fact, Claire and I decided we’re going to travel together and share the journey. This is going to be so cool!!

It’s hard to believe that we are saying goodbye to 2011 and welcoming 2012!! Wow…. where did the time go??? It feels like just yesterday I showed up on the puzzling scene to ramp up your fun and tell you all about the great happenings here in Staveland! So…. where shall we start? The Holidays were just

so magical, were’nt they? All that glitz, all that spirit and amazing family times! I hope all of my favorite puzzlers had a wonderful holiday! I don’t know about you but I’m sure in need of a vacation! It was a hopping December in Staveland thanks to all of you! The phones were just a ringin’ and our saws were just a buzzin’! I have to say that there is no better way to get in the holiday spirit than to see all of your gifty puzzles floating through Staveland! The glittery gift wrap and our fabby annual Staveornament to snazz up your puzzle gifts! I could tell we were going to have some super excited Holiday puzzlers come Christmas morning!! Wowza! On top of that, my gift wrapping skills improved tremendously! Which is always a bonus because I still needed to wrap my own gifts! We hope your puzzle table was filled to the brim with over the top quality family time! And… hopefully you were on Santa’s list to receive an extra special Stave puzzle yourself! There’s nothin’ like a place where family, friends and all those four legged critters gather ‘round. Especially at the Holidays! Oh my…. the memories!

My friends here at Stave are wicked excited to start 2012 off with a big bang! Another amazing puzzling year is coming up. You can be sure of that! Fabulous fun mixed with pure addicting torture is what my Stave pals are conjuring up behind the scenes. The question is, are you ready? Although the Holidays are behind us now there is another favorite Stave Holiday right around the corner. Valentine’s Day! Woohoo!! Don’t you just love, love, love pink?! It rates right up there with chocolate in my mind. Pink, chocolate and puzzles. Is there a better combination? Now way!!! So…. inside this amazing mailing that my good friends here at Stave have designed specifically for you, you will be stunned to find the sweetest collection of super duper Valentine ideas for your sweetie. Heck, I plan to get one for myself! There is plenty to choose from, that’s for sure. And, if you need even more romantic ideas (or pink for that matter) just let us know! We’ve been known to sweep sweethearts off their feet with our drop dead goregous proposal puzzles—how romantic is that?!! If you want to really push the romance envelope Stave is hosting a puzzle weekend extravaganza at The Point this coming March. A sumptuous mountain retreat in the heart of the Adirondacks. Talk about bringin’ on the WOW factor! WOWZA!
For more details please go here.

Puzzles are fun anytime of the year but they are an extra fun winter time adventure. When the temps drop and the fire is blazing there’s nothing better than hunkering down on a snowy day with a nice hot cup of cocoa and hearing the pieces of my favorite puzzle click into place. Or, if the cold isn’t your scene, tropical vacations work for me and my favorite wooden puzzles. Just ask me! The perfect escape with “the ultimate escape!” Just don’t forget to send me my ticket!! Working a puzzle while sitting in the sun and sipping a tropical, breezy, colorful drink sounds dreamy to me !

Until the next time!

p.s. OMG! I almost forgot!! Don’t forget to check out these two new adorable TIDBITS below!!

Whew! Hurricane Irene sure has made a mess of things! As you’ve probably heard our area was in deep water a couple of weeks ago when the storm swept through town. We’re used to the snow and ice in the winter, but when five feet of water comes rushing through there’s not much you can do about it.

Thankfully, our friends at Stave came through OK. I spoke with Tammy a couple of days after the storm and other than a few people who couldn’t make it to work for a couple days due to washed out roads, there were no problems. The areas directly around them, however, were hit hard. The excessive rainfall caused record flooding of rivers causing major destruction in many areas. The raging waters ripped trees from the riverbanks, dragging them downstream. Cars and trucks were taken away in the current and homes were literally lifted off of their foundations. The homes that were able to hold strong were filled with several feet of mud. It’s hard to imagine the devastation unless you’ve seen it.

An event like this can either make you or break you and I’m proud to say the Vermonters are rising to the challenge! Rescue workers were out in full force during the storm, helping people evacuate their homes, directing them to the Red Cross shelters set up around the area. Local fire departments and rescue squads were at their best rushing from one location to the next helping all who were in need. The town road crews have been working practically non-stop to repair and, in some cases, totally rebuild roadways that were washed away. And the townspeople have banded together, offering food and supplies to those hit harder than themselves. Friends and strangers helping each other shovel the mud from basements, haul the ruined remnants of their lives to the town dumps. Life goes on and it’s made just a little bit easier by the kindness of others.

Sadly, many historic covered bridges were damaged during the flooding. Vermont is known for and proud of these iconic landmarks and to have them ravaged by the floodwaters was devastating. One in particular, the bridge in Quechee, by the Simon Pearce restaurant and glass blowing facility, was damaged. The Stave gang has spent many a holiday party at Simon Pearce, enjoying the good food, camaraderie of their co-workers and relief that the holiday rush was over for another year, all the while enjoying the view of the covered bridge. Hopefully they’ll be able to view it again this December.

Thousands travel to New England in the Fall to view the changing leaves and appreciate the scenery. In fact, I have a bunch of friends coming for a visit in a couple of weeks. I’m going to take them North to the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury and after enjoying the foliage along the way we’ll sample a scoop or two. Then we’ll head over to Shelburne to the Shelburne Vineyard for a little wine tasting and after that maybe we’ll make it to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory just down the road. And after enjoying the reds, oranges and yellows in the trees, we’ll head back home to see who still needs help clearing out and re-building. We can all get by with a little help from our friends.

P.S. – Remember Stave is having a Puzzle Party at Twin Farms in Barnard, Vt at the end of October! There is still time to join in on the fun.

I hate for these words to cross my lips, but I think Summer is just about over here in New England and Fall is getting ready to move in. After I get done with my favorite summertime activities – whether it be hiking, camping, canoeing, playing a little volleyball or badminton, or just hanging out at the beach – I love to come home for some R & R and sit in front of a Stave puzzle! Now that the nights are getting a touch cooler here in Vermont a puzzle and a hot fudge sundae are always a great way to end the day! (It is still Summer after all!) I can’t think of any better time to puzzle!

On those really cool, rainy days that we seem to be getting lately…a Stave puzzle is a great way to pass the time and bring some fun to a dreary day. Sometimes I will even invite friends and family over for a day of puzzling! What great fun that is! When we all sit down at the puzzle table… it’s game on!! There are always a couple of us who like to make it a competition and see who can put the most together or complete the puzzle first. The rest of us just like a nice relaxing experience so we can enjoy the satisfaction of each piece clicking into place. What kind of puzzler are you? Speaking of puzzles, I hope everyone is gearing up for a puzzle filled Labor day weekend. Break out your favorite puzzles and make a day out of it, rain or shine!

Okay..Okay! So we said Fall is around the corner and while I know we all love Summer and hate to see it go! There is one great thing about Fall… the AMAZING foliage we have here in Vermont! Have you ever been here during peek season?? It is stunning all the red orange and yellow colors painting the mountains. If you haven’t seen Vermont in the fall it is a definite must do! And while you are visting Vermont feel free to stop by the Stave shop and take a tour! Looking for a fabulous place to stay while you are visiting?? Why not stay at a STAVE approved Inn that have a great selection of our puzzles for you to work!

The Rabbit Hill Inn sits in the charming little town of Lower Waterford, Vermont. Beautiful vistas of the White Mountains of New Hampshie and the hills of Vermont can be seen from the front porch and lawn of the Northeast Kingdom Bed & Breakfast. (For more info visit www.rabbithillinn.com)

Another one of our favorites is Twin Farms! A unique country estate getaway situated on over three hundred acres of wildflower meadows, hardwood forests, ancient gardens and private ponds in Barnard, Vermont. Did you know that Stave will be taking over Twin Farms for an entire weekend in October?? If you ever needed a reason to come visit, this is the perfect excuse! See below for details! Can’t wait to see your happy faces there! – Penelope-

WOW! I don’t think it’s been this hot in a VERY long time. I woke up this morning around nine(!) and it was already 86 degrees out. I didn’t expect that to happen this summer based on how much rain we’ve had. I guess we’re kinda lucky to have some rays! I was stuck inside all day yesterday working, so when I finally got home I went swimming. I love having such a great swimming hole close to my house. It makes it pretty easy for me to take a quick dip in the river when it gets hot out!! We even have a rope hanging from a tree. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m just a big kid – the more fun I can have the better!

Enough about the weather… let’s talk about ME!! Wait – we’re already talking about me! Anyway, this past weekend was my annual get together with my best girl-friends from college. Since we all live so far away from each other, we rotate which one of us will be the host of the event so the traveling time is always fair. It was my turn to be the host this year. I love, love, love getting together with my friends, and I love entertaining! It can be so much work, but I know how to throw a good party – everyone always has fun! The weekend couldn’t have been any more perfect. I’m so glad none of us have changed, and we are still just as crazy as we were 10 years ago.

Speaking of not changing…one of my good friends, Becky, hasn’t changed a bit…she’s still just as nosey as ever! Everyone was settling in, unpacking for our long weekend of fun, and Becky was getting to know her surroundings…which, as I mentioned before, was my house. While snooping around Becky found my puzzle stash, and before too long the puzzling had begun. As you’re already well aware – once you get started, there’s no stopping! And let me just say, if you wanna catch up with some friends, the best way to do it is by popping open a bottle of wine and sitting around a puzzle table. We talked about things I never thought would be brought up again. Let’s just say it’s a good thing there weren’t any other ears in that room!

Hey! Where are your photos for my photo contest?! I need to see some funny pictures of you guys puzzling!!! We’re just dying to give away some Stave moola. I know if I were you, I would be getting my camera ready right now and taking some wild and wacky pictures so I could win! I sure do hope to hear from you guys soon so we can get the ball rolling on this contest, but until then enjoy this nice summer weather!!

Penelope

Penelope’s WACKY Photo Contest

Get out your camera!! All you’ve gotta do is send us the craziest, wackiest, WILDEST photo you can take of you(and your friends if you like to share your puzzles) putting together one of your favorite Stave puzzles! Don’t be afraid to go all out with this one, we’re hoping to see some pretty wild entries!! Here are a few of my favorites from our last contest.

Here’s how it works: It’s as simple as 1,2,3!

1. Send us your wild and wacky photos. Don’t be shy! Show the world whatcha got.

2. In July, August and September we’ll pick our favorite three photos each month. Those three puzzlers will each win $100 in Stave Moola! Woo-hoo!

3. Then, we’ll let the Stave Puzzlenut community decide which photo goes to the final round in October. You could win an additional $500 in Stave Money!!!

Don’t wait! Enter today, you could be a $600 winner!

Send pictures to: penelope@stave.com or you can mail it to us at
Stave Puzzles, PO Box 329, Norwich, VT 05055.

Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve been a member of various clubs. I think the first club I became a member of was the Girls Only club that my sister and I started to keep our two brothers out of our room! We were the only two members but we were a force to be reckoned with!

My next experience was when I joined the Girls Scouts as a Brownie. That’s where I met my best friend, Claire, and we’ve been lifelong friends ever since. As we grew older, we flew up to the rank of Girl Scout. Claire never liked the uniforms but hey, redheads look great in green, right? We really did learn a lot in those years and the benefits of being members of the scouts is still with us. Claire was our top cookie seller for five years running and now she’s top in sales at her company.

In my college years I joined a sorority. I met amazing women and together we did some pretty neat things. We organized several fundraising benefits for local families as well as national organizations. There is something very powerful about a group of women. We were passionate about what we did and we worked well together as a team to get the job done.

So where is all this going? Have you ever noticed how puzzlers seem to have a private group of their own? Puzzling isn’t one of those hobbies, like golf, where it’s out for the world to see. Puzzling is usually done in the comfort of your own home so it tends to be private. And here’s some great news – Stave is starting a Travel Club! They’re not actually “taking” us anywhere, but more helping us to travel the world in puzzle form. I hear there are six legs of the journey, but I haven’t actually gotten all of the details yet. I’ve been told to keep an eye on my mailbox because all the nitty-gritty facts will be arriving soon. My buddy at Stave – Bri – said something about that the only passport I’ll need is the one that Stave will give me.

I think this is a great way to see the world without having to deal with delayed flights and lost luggage. As a matter of fact, Claire and I decided we’re going to travel together and share the journey. This is going to be so cool!!

It’s hard to believe that we are saying goodbye to 2011 and welcoming 2012!! Wow…. where did the time go??? It feels like just yesterday I showed up on the puzzling scene to ramp up your fun and tell you all about the great happenings here in Staveland! So…. where shall we start? The Holidays were just

so magical, were’nt they? All that glitz, all that spirit and amazing family times! I hope all of my favorite puzzlers had a wonderful holiday! I don’t know about you but I’m sure in need of a vacation! It was a hopping December in Staveland thanks to all of you! The phones were just a ringin’ and our saws were just a buzzin’! I have to say that there is no better way to get in the holiday spirit than to see all of your gifty puzzles floating through Staveland! The glittery gift wrap and our fabby annual Staveornament to snazz up your puzzle gifts! I could tell we were going to have some super excited Holiday puzzlers come Christmas morning!! Wowza! On top of that, my gift wrapping skills improved tremendously! Which is always a bonus because I still needed to wrap my own gifts! We hope your puzzle table was filled to the brim with over the top quality family time! And… hopefully you were on Santa’s list to receive an extra special Stave puzzle yourself! There’s nothin’ like a place where family, friends and all those four legged critters gather ‘round. Especially at the Holidays! Oh my…. the memories!

My friends here at Stave are wicked excited to start 2012 off with a big bang! Another amazing puzzling year is coming up. You can be sure of that! Fabulous fun mixed with pure addicting torture is what my Stave pals are conjuring up behind the scenes. The question is, are you ready? Although the Holidays are behind us now there is another favorite Stave Holiday right around the corner. Valentine’s Day! Woohoo!! Don’t you just love, love, love pink?! It rates right up there with chocolate in my mind. Pink, chocolate and puzzles. Is there a better combination? Now way!!! So…. inside this amazing mailing that my good friends here at Stave have designed specifically for you, you will be stunned to find the sweetest collection of super duper Valentine ideas for your sweetie. Heck, I plan to get one for myself! There is plenty to choose from, that’s for sure. And, if you need even more romantic ideas (or pink for that matter) just let us know! We’ve been known to sweep sweethearts off their feet with our drop dead goregous proposal puzzles—how romantic is that?!! If you want to really push the romance envelope Stave is hosting a puzzle weekend extravaganza at The Point this coming March. A sumptuous mountain retreat in the heart of the Adirondacks. Talk about bringin’ on the WOW factor! WOWZA!
For more details please go here.

Puzzles are fun anytime of the year but they are an extra fun winter time adventure. When the temps drop and the fire is blazing there’s nothing better than hunkering down on a snowy day with a nice hot cup of cocoa and hearing the pieces of my favorite puzzle click into place. Or, if the cold isn’t your scene, tropical vacations work for me and my favorite wooden puzzles. Just ask me! The perfect escape with “the ultimate escape!” Just don’t forget to send me my ticket!! Working a puzzle while sitting in the sun and sipping a tropical, breezy, colorful drink sounds dreamy to me !

Until the next time!

p.s. OMG! I almost forgot!! Don’t forget to check out these two new adorable TIDBITS below!!

Whew! Hurricane Irene sure has made a mess of things! As you’ve probably heard our area was in deep water a couple of weeks ago when the storm swept through town. We’re used to the snow and ice in the winter, but when five feet of water comes rushing through there’s not much you can do about it.

Thankfully, our friends at Stave came through OK. I spoke with Tammy a couple of days after the storm and other than a few people who couldn’t make it to work for a couple days due to washed out roads, there were no problems. The areas directly around them, however, were hit hard. The excessive rainfall caused record flooding of rivers causing major destruction in many areas. The raging waters ripped trees from the riverbanks, dragging them downstream. Cars and trucks were taken away in the current and homes were literally lifted off of their foundations. The homes that were able to hold strong were filled with several feet of mud. It’s hard to imagine the devastation unless you’ve seen it.

An event like this can either make you or break you and I’m proud to say the Vermonters are rising to the challenge! Rescue workers were out in full force during the storm, helping people evacuate their homes, directing them to the Red Cross shelters set up around the area. Local fire departments and rescue squads were at their best rushing from one location to the next helping all who were in need. The town road crews have been working practically non-stop to repair and, in some cases, totally rebuild roadways that were washed away. And the townspeople have banded together, offering food and supplies to those hit harder than themselves. Friends and strangers helping each other shovel the mud from basements, haul the ruined remnants of their lives to the town dumps. Life goes on and it’s made just a little bit easier by the kindness of others.

Sadly, many historic covered bridges were damaged during the flooding. Vermont is known for and proud of these iconic landmarks and to have them ravaged by the floodwaters was devastating. One in particular, the bridge in Quechee, by the Simon Pearce restaurant and glass blowing facility, was damaged. The Stave gang has spent many a holiday party at Simon Pearce, enjoying the good food, camaraderie of their co-workers and relief that the holiday rush was over for another year, all the while enjoying the view of the covered bridge. Hopefully they’ll be able to view it again this December.

Thousands travel to New England in the Fall to view the changing leaves and appreciate the scenery. In fact, I have a bunch of friends coming for a visit in a couple of weeks. I’m going to take them North to the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury and after enjoying the foliage along the way we’ll sample a scoop or two. Then we’ll head over to Shelburne to the Shelburne Vineyard for a little wine tasting and after that maybe we’ll make it to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory just down the road. And after enjoying the reds, oranges and yellows in the trees, we’ll head back home to see who still needs help clearing out and re-building. We can all get by with a little help from our friends.

P.S. – Remember Stave is having a Puzzle Party at Twin Farms in Barnard, Vt at the end of October! There is still time to join in on the fun.

I hate for these words to cross my lips, but I think Summer is just about over here in New England and Fall is getting ready to move in. After I get done with my favorite summertime activities – whether it be hiking, camping, canoeing, playing a little volleyball or badminton, or just hanging out at the beach – I love to come home for some R & R and sit in front of a Stave puzzle! Now that the nights are getting a touch cooler here in Vermont a puzzle and a hot fudge sundae are always a great way to end the day! (It is still Summer after all!) I can’t think of any better time to puzzle!

On those really cool, rainy days that we seem to be getting lately…a Stave puzzle is a great way to pass the time and bring some fun to a dreary day. Sometimes I will even invite friends and family over for a day of puzzling! What great fun that is! When we all sit down at the puzzle table… it’s game on!! There are always a couple of us who like to make it a competition and see who can put the most together or complete the puzzle first. The rest of us just like a nice relaxing experience so we can enjoy the satisfaction of each piece clicking into place. What kind of puzzler are you? Speaking of puzzles, I hope everyone is gearing up for a puzzle filled Labor day weekend. Break out your favorite puzzles and make a day out of it, rain or shine!

Okay..Okay! So we said Fall is around the corner and while I know we all love Summer and hate to see it go! There is one great thing about Fall… the AMAZING foliage we have here in Vermont! Have you ever been here during peek season?? It is stunning all the red orange and yellow colors painting the mountains. If you haven’t seen Vermont in the fall it is a definite must do! And while you are visting Vermont feel free to stop by the Stave shop and take a tour! Looking for a fabulous place to stay while you are visiting?? Why not stay at a STAVE approved Inn that have a great selection of our puzzles for you to work!

The Rabbit Hill Inn sits in the charming little town of Lower Waterford, Vermont. Beautiful vistas of the White Mountains of New Hampshie and the hills of Vermont can be seen from the front porch and lawn of the Northeast Kingdom Bed & Breakfast. (For more info visit www.rabbithillinn.com)

Another one of our favorites is Twin Farms! A unique country estate getaway situated on over three hundred acres of wildflower meadows, hardwood forests, ancient gardens and private ponds in Barnard, Vermont. Did you know that Stave will be taking over Twin Farms for an entire weekend in October?? If you ever needed a reason to come visit, this is the perfect excuse! See below for details! Can’t wait to see your happy faces there! – Penelope-

WOW! I don’t think it’s been this hot in a VERY long time. I woke up this morning around nine(!) and it was already 86 degrees out. I didn’t expect that to happen this summer based on how much rain we’ve had. I guess we’re kinda lucky to have some rays! I was stuck inside all day yesterday working, so when I finally got home I went swimming. I love having such a great swimming hole close to my house. It makes it pretty easy for me to take a quick dip in the river when it gets hot out!! We even have a rope hanging from a tree. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m just a big kid – the more fun I can have the better!

Enough about the weather… let’s talk about ME!! Wait – we’re already talking about me! Anyway, this past weekend was my annual get together with my best girl-friends from college. Since we all live so far away from each other, we rotate which one of us will be the host of the event so the traveling time is always fair. It was my turn to be the host this year. I love, love, love getting together with my friends, and I love entertaining! It can be so much work, but I know how to throw a good party – everyone always has fun! The weekend couldn’t have been any more perfect. I’m so glad none of us have changed, and we are still just as crazy as we were 10 years ago.

Speaking of not changing…one of my good friends, Becky, hasn’t changed a bit…she’s still just as nosey as ever! Everyone was settling in, unpacking for our long weekend of fun, and Becky was getting to know her surroundings…which, as I mentioned before, was my house. While snooping around Becky found my puzzle stash, and before too long the puzzling had begun. As you’re already well aware – once you get started, there’s no stopping! And let me just say, if you wanna catch up with some friends, the best way to do it is by popping open a bottle of wine and sitting around a puzzle table. We talked about things I never thought would be brought up again. Let’s just say it’s a good thing there weren’t any other ears in that room!

Hey! Where are your photos for my photo contest?! I need to see some funny pictures of you guys puzzling!!! We’re just dying to give away some Stave moola. I know if I were you, I would be getting my camera ready right now and taking some wild and wacky pictures so I could win! I sure do hope to hear from you guys soon so we can get the ball rolling on this contest, but until then enjoy this nice summer weather!!

Penelope

Penelope’s WACKY Photo Contest

Get out your camera!! All you’ve gotta do is send us the craziest, wackiest, WILDEST photo you can take of you(and your friends if you like to share your puzzles) putting together one of your favorite Stave puzzles! Don’t be afraid to go all out with this one, we’re hoping to see some pretty wild entries!! Here are a few of my favorites from our last contest.

Here’s how it works: It’s as simple as 1,2,3!

1. Send us your wild and wacky photos. Don’t be shy! Show the world whatcha got.

2. In July, August and September we’ll pick our favorite three photos each month. Those three puzzlers will each win $100 in Stave Moola! Woo-hoo!

3. Then, we’ll let the Stave Puzzlenut community decide which photo goes to the final round in October. You could win an additional $500 in Stave Money!!!

Don’t wait! Enter today, you could be a $600 winner!

Send pictures to: penelope@stave.com or you can mail it to us at
Stave Puzzles, PO Box 329, Norwich, VT 05055.